By Jordan Gerrans
Norma Dacey thinks people around her age are probably out exploring the world on a cruise.
For Norma and her husband, Claude, they are the elder statespeople of the greyhound training ranks in the Sunshine State.
While people they grew up with or have known over the years might be off travelling the world on a cruise, the Daceys are searching for their next winner.
At 88 years of age, Claude is the second oldest registered training in Queensland.
And, the industry veteran is not limping to the retirement finishing line either, he is still going as strong as ever.
The Dacey kennel have qualified quality bitch Nando Dreamer for the 2022 Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup after a slashing performance in last weeks heat.
As of Monday morning, Claude thought he actually was the oldest trainer in the state.
Just one year older than Claude is Eric Honeyman, who just gets the nod in a photo-finish for the most advanced age trainer in Queensland.
“I did not think he would be older than me or anyone would be older than me training,” Claude said with a laugh.
At their Gilberton-based kennel, Norma thinks the team of around 30 greyhounds is vital to their quality of life.
Norma trained in previous years in her own name as well as whelping the litters and catching at races.
Her health has not been as strong over the last few years so she is not as hands on as she once was with the dogs.
“It has only been the last couple of years that my health has knocked me around a little bit so I stay at home and let him do it all now,” Norma said.
Claude is still going as good as ever, just a little slower than he once did.
“It keeps him going,” Norma said of her husband.
“He is going well; he is still very fit.
“I think if he gave up the dogs, that might be the end of him.
“He has to have something to keep him going.”
The Daceys have lived and breathed the industry for much of their lives.
Claude was introduced to them by his father, who trained.
Claude worked as a builder in his younger years while dabbling in the greyhounds before eventually diving head first into them over four decades ago.
“It is a way of life, we have been doing it for more than 30 or 40 years,” Norma said.
“It is the same thing every day and not much changes.”
Despite nearing 90 years of age, the Daceys have not lost any of their humour.
Norma no longer trains, with all the dogs now in Claude’s name.
She thinks there is a reason for that.
“They reckon I was better trainer than him, but he did not like hearing that so he put them back in his name,” Norma said with a chuckle.
At 88 years of age, Claude is nowhere near as active with his dogs as he once was.
He is aided by friends and fellow industry participants Gary Mackay and Barry Taylor, as well as his son providing a helping hand.
Taylor credits the Dacey family for mentoring him in the industry.
“Claude has taught me how to do things the right way and that’s saved me years no having to figure it out on my own,” Taylor said.
“Claude has seen it all over his career and is always telling me the mistakes he’s made, so I can avoid them.
“The dogs Claude and Norma have had over the years have been brilliant, for me I’ve always tried to follow those methods, I’ve got a few kennels up at their place which the dogs just love."
Taylor and the Daceys have built a close bond.
“Barry did not know a lot about dogs when he first arrived here but he has come on a long way,” Claude said.